This notebook is for examining the current ratings on boardgamegeek.com with the aim of adjusting and computing different versions of these ratings. The main goal is to compute alternative ranks to adjust for a tendency of the BGG ratings to skew towards complex and recently released games. This is not a novel contribution, but this notebook aims to explain some of the considerations behind calculating different ratings for games as well as refresh these ratings frequently off by scraping the most up to data from the BGG API.
We’ll load in the active data we have from BGG and begin our analysis. There are a couple of different variables we’re interested in exploring: the average rating, the geek rating (bayesaverage), and the average weight, or complexity. For the average and geek ratings, votes can range from 1 to 10, while complexity ranges from 1 to 5.

The geek rating is the game’s average plus around 1000 baseline 5.5 votes added, which serve as a prior to prevent games with few ratings from moving to the top of the geek list.
If we plot average rating of games vs their complexity, we can see that a game’s rating is heavily correlated with its complexity.

We can also plot this with labels to pick out particular games.

The average rating is also a function of time, as we see a general rise in the average for more recently released games.

If we size games by their number of user ratings, we can see when we start to really see the number of user ratings for games take off.

Now, so far we’ve just looked at the average rating, which is simply the average of community ratings for a given game. Most people care about the Geek ratings, uses a combination of the community average and the number of votes. In order to get a high Geek rating, a game need to both be well rated (a high average) and have a high enough number of user ratings. We can get a sense of how games map on both of these dimensions via a visualization I have come to dub ‘the mountain’.

The geek rating is designed to capture a mix of being highly rated and popular. To achieve this, boardgamegeek used a form of Bayesian averaging, (roughly) starting every game off with 1000 votes at 5.5, which means that it takes a decent number of users rating the game to actually move the baseline rating.
We can see this if we plot all games based on their average rating as well as their number ratings and size by the number of user ratings.

The geek ratings on BGG are highly influential, but they skew heavily towards very complex games. This means that “normal people” will have a hard time using the games that are highly rated on BGG.
If we look at the top 100 games on BGG according to the geek ratings, we can see that all generally fall on the heavier side in terms of game complexity.
yearpublished | game_id | name | rank | bayesaverage | complexity |
2017 | 174430 | Gloomhaven | 1 | 8.49 | 3.87 |
2015 | 161936 | Pandemic Legacy: Season 1 | 2 | 8.44 | 2.83 |
2018 | 224517 | Brass: Birmingham | 3 | 8.42 | 3.90 |
2016 | 167791 | Terraforming Mars | 4 | 8.27 | 3.25 |
2020 | 291457 | Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion | 5 | 8.27 | 3.59 |
2017 | 233078 | Twilight Imperium: Fourth Edition | 6 | 8.25 | 4.26 |
2017 | 220308 | Gaia Project | 7 | 8.17 | 4.37 |
2016 | 187645 | Star Wars: Rebellion | 8 | 8.17 | 3.73 |
2017 | 162886 | Spirit Island | 9 | 8.14 | 4.04 |
2011 | 115746 | War of the Ring: Second Edition | 10 | 8.14 | 4.18 |
2015 | 182028 | Through the Ages: A New Story of Civilization | 11 | 8.14 | 4.42 |
2016 | 193738 | Great Western Trail | 12 | 8.12 | 3.71 |
2005 | 12333 | Twilight Struggle | 13 | 8.11 | 3.60 |
2016 | 169786 | Scythe | 14 | 8.06 | 3.43 |
2020 | 316554 | Dune: Imperium | 15 | 8.03 | 2.99 |
2011 | 84876 | The Castles of Burgundy | 16 | 8.01 | 3.00 |
2018 | 167355 | Nemesis | 17 | 7.99 | 3.39 |
2015 | 173346 | 7 Wonders Duel | 18 | 7.98 | 2.23 |
2013 | 124361 | Concordia | 19 | 7.97 | 3.01 |
2007 | 28720 | Brass: Lancashire | 20 | 7.97 | 3.86 |
2012 | 120677 | Terra Mystica | 21 | 7.96 | 3.97 |
2016 | 177736 | A Feast for Odin | 22 | 7.95 | 3.85 |
2019 | 266192 | Wingspan | 23 | 7.94 | 2.44 |
2016 | 205637 | Arkham Horror: The Card Game | 24 | 7.93 | 3.49 |
2018 | 237182 | Root | 25 | 7.89 | 3.73 |
2015 | 183394 | Viticulture Essential Edition | 26 | 7.89 | 2.89 |
2018 | 199792 | Everdell | 27 | 7.88 | 2.81 |
2014 | 164928 | Orléans | 28 | 7.88 | 3.04 |
2019 | 266507 | Clank!: Legacy – Acquisitions Incorporated | 29 | 7.88 | 2.69 |
2011 | 96848 | Mage Knight Board Game | 30 | 7.87 | 4.33 |
2020 | 246900 | Eclipse: Second Dawn for the Galaxy | 31 | 7.87 | 3.59 |
2020 | 312484 | Lost Ruins of Arnak | 32 | 7.87 | 2.87 |
2021 | 342942 | Ark Nova | 33 | 7.85 | 3.74 |
2015 | 175914 | Food Chain Magnate | 34 | 7.83 | 4.20 |
2002 | 3076 | Puerto Rico | 35 | 7.83 | 3.28 |
2013 | 102794 | Caverna: The Cave Farmers | 36 | 7.82 | 3.79 |
2019 | 285774 | Marvel Champions: The Card Game | 37 | 7.81 | 2.87 |
2015 | 170216 | Blood Rage | 38 | 7.81 | 2.88 |
2017 | 192135 | Too Many Bones | 39 | 7.81 | 3.85 |
2019 | 251247 | Barrage | 40 | 7.80 | 4.07 |
2007 | 31260 | Agricola | 41 | 7.80 | 3.64 |
2018 | 248562 | Mage Knight: Ultimate Edition | 42 | 7.79 | 4.62 |
2019 | 276025 | Maracaibo | 43 | 7.78 | 3.89 |
2018 | 247763 | Underwater Cities | 44 | 7.78 | 3.60 |
2017 | 221107 | Pandemic Legacy: Season 2 | 45 | 7.78 | 3.24 |
2019 | 256960 | Pax Pamir: Second Edition | 46 | 7.78 | 3.81 |
2016 | 205059 | Mansions of Madness: Second Edition | 47 | 7.77 | 2.67 |
2019 | 284083 | The Crew: The Quest for Planet Nine | 48 | 7.77 | 1.99 |
2019 | 271320 | The Castles of Burgundy | 49 | 7.76 | 2.98 |
2017 | 185343 | Anachrony | 50 | 7.76 | 4.01 |
2012 | 126163 | Tzolk'in: The Mayan Calendar | 51 | 7.74 | 3.67 |
2004 | 2651 | Power Grid | 52 | 7.73 | 3.26 |
2017 | 216132 | Clans of Caledonia | 53 | 7.72 | 3.46 |
2020 | 184267 | On Mars | 54 | 7.72 | 4.65 |
2015 | 55690 | Kingdom Death: Monster | 55 | 7.72 | 4.26 |
2008 | 35677 | Le Havre | 56 | 7.71 | 3.73 |
2016 | 209010 | Mechs vs. Minions | 57 | 7.71 | 2.43 |
2014 | 164153 | Star Wars: Imperial Assault | 58 | 7.71 | 3.30 |
2017 | 180263 | The 7th Continent | 59 | 7.70 | 2.90 |
2018 | 244521 | The Quacks of Quedlinburg | 60 | 7.69 | 1.95 |
1876 | 521 | Crokinole | 61 | 7.69 | 1.25 |
2015 | 125153 | The Gallerist | 62 | 7.68 | 4.26 |
2017 | 161533 | Lisboa | 63 | 7.68 | 4.57 |
2017 | 230802 | Azul | 64 | 7.68 | 1.77 |
2011 | 72125 | Eclipse | 65 | 7.67 | 3.70 |
2019 | 266810 | Paladins of the West Kingdom | 66 | 7.67 | 3.70 |
2016 | 191189 | Aeon's End | 67 | 7.67 | 2.78 |
2006 | 25613 | Through the Ages: A Story of Civilization | 68 | 7.66 | 4.17 |
2012 | 124742 | Android: Netrunner | 69 | 7.66 | 3.40 |
2020 | 314040 | Pandemic Legacy: Season 0 | 70 | 7.66 | 3.04 |
2007 | 28143 | Race for the Galaxy | 71 | 7.65 | 2.99 |
2016 | 201808 | Clank!: A Deck-Building Adventure | 72 | 7.65 | 2.22 |
2014 | 159675 | Fields of Arle | 73 | 7.64 | 3.87 |
2012 | 121921 | RobinsonCrusoe:AdventuresontheCursedIsland | 74 | 7.64 | 3.80 |
2018 | 229853 | Teotihuacan: City of Gods | 75 | 7.64 | 3.77 |
2014 | 157354 | Five Tribes | 76 | 7.64 | 2.85 |
2015 | 171623 | The Voyages of Marco Polo | 77 | 7.63 | 3.19 |
2010 | 68448 | 7 Wonders | 78 | 7.62 | 2.33 |
2016 | 200680 | Agricola (Revised Edition) | 79 | 7.62 | 3.50 |
2011 | 108687 | Puerto Rico | 80 | 7.62 | 3.27 |
2021 | 324856 | The Crew: Mission Deep Sea | 81 | 7.62 | 2.01 |
2012 | 110327 | Lords of Waterdeep | 82 | 7.62 | 2.46 |
2010 | 62219 | Dominant Species | 83 | 7.61 | 4.04 |
2015 | 182874 | Grand Austria Hotel | 84 | 7.61 | 3.22 |
2019 | 264220 | Tainted Grail: The Fall of Avalon | 85 | 7.59 | 3.30 |
2018 | 236457 | Architects of the West Kingdom | 86 | 7.58 | 2.76 |
2012 | 122515 | Keyflower | 87 | 7.58 | 3.34 |
2021 | 295947 | Cascadia | 88 | 7.58 | 1.90 |
1995 | 93 | El Grande | 89 | 7.57 | 3.05 |
2005 | 18602 | Caylus | 90 | 7.57 | 3.80 |
2008 | 37111 | Battlestar Galactica: The Board Game | 91 | 7.56 | 3.25 |
2005 | 12493 | Twilight Imperium: Third Edition | 92 | 7.55 | 4.25 |
2010 | 73439 | Troyes | 93 | 7.55 | 3.47 |
2009 | 40834 | Dominion: Intrigue | 94 | 7.55 | 2.42 |
2019 | 269385 | TheLordoftheRings:JourneysinMiddle-Earth | 95 | 7.55 | 2.60 |
2015 | 172386 | Mombasa | 96 | 7.55 | 3.89 |
2015 | 170042 | Raiders of the North Sea | 97 | 7.54 | 2.54 |
2013 | 146021 | Eldritch Horror | 98 | 7.54 | 3.32 |
2016 | 203993 | Lorenzo il Magnifico | 99 | 7.53 | 3.30 |
2020 | 284378 | Kanban EV | 100 | 7.53 | 4.36 |
We want a list of games that isn’t so heavily skewed towards complexity. We want to “control for” the influence of complexity on the rating. That is, if we take the variation in the average ratings that isn’t explained by complexity, which games still have high ratings?
To do this, we need the residuals from a regression of average rating on complexity - these will be the variation in game ratings that are not explained by complexity. We will fit the bivariate model on games published through 2021 and inspect the results.
term | estimate | std.error | statistic | p.value | conf.low | conf.high |
(Intercept) | 5.212 | 0.015 | 357.710 | 0 | 5.183 | 5.241 |
averageweight | 0.585 | 0.007 | 87.311 | 0 | 0.572 | 0.599 |
key | value |
r.squared | 0.27 |
sigma | 0.78 |
nobs | 20,928.00 |
The intercept indicates the average rating of a game with a complexity of 0, which is kind of nonsensical. The coefficient indicates the effect of a unit increase in the complexity of a game on the average rating. Putting these two together tells us that a game with a complexity rating of 1 would have a rating of 5.8. A game with a complexity rating of 5, meanwhile, would have a rating of 8.14.
The model indicates that the complexity of a game explains about 26% of the variation in average ratings (R-squared, which simply is the correlation coefficient (R) we saw earlier squared). So it’s not the only thing that matters, but it has a pretty sizeable impact on the average rating and the corresponding geek rating.
We don’t really care about the model per se, we just want to get the residuals.
The point of the residuals is that they are the variation in a game’s average rating that is not explained by complexity, meaning we will see no correlation between complexity and the residuals.

A positive residual in this case is a game that has a higher than expected average given its complexity. But, we can’t just adjust the ratings alone because it skews heavily towards games that have a highly inflated average rating due to a only having a handful of users.
yearpublished | game_id | name | usersrated | average | bayesaverage | .resid | averageweight | adj_average |
2019 | 290500 | Flip & Fish | 30 | 9.14 | 5.52 | 3.34 | 1.00 | 9.73 |
2018 | 236332 | Animator vs Animation | 48 | 9.06 | 5.50 | 3.27 | 1.00 | 9.66 |
2020 | 260037 | Composition | 40 | 8.94 | 5.52 | 3.14 | 1.00 | 9.54 |
2017 | 219666 | Ciudad de Cartón | 37 | 8.72 | 5.51 | 2.92 | 1.00 | 9.31 |
2020 | 281257 | Aeolis | 39 | 9.23 | 5.52 | 2.85 | 2.00 | 9.24 |
2018 | 228370 | TerroriXico | 70 | 9.41 | 5.50 | 2.74 | 2.50 | 9.13 |
2020 | 310846 | Urgency | 41 | 9.07 | 5.53 | 2.69 | 2.00 | 9.08 |
2018 | 198005 | Revanche | 50 | 8.73 | 5.54 | 2.64 | 1.50 | 9.03 |
2019 | 284111 | Drinks & Daggers | 65 | 8.97 | 5.51 | 2.59 | 2.00 | 8.99 |
2012 | 130357 | Go First Dice | 50 | 8.38 | 5.58 | 2.58 | 1.00 | 8.98 |
2005 | 20414 | RPGQuest: Greek Mythology | 45 | 8.80 | 5.51 | 2.58 | 1.73 | 8.97 |
2020 | 315219 | Black It Out | 73 | 8.32 | 5.55 | 2.52 | 1.00 | 8.92 |
2019 | 283152 | Monikers: Serious Nonsense | 243 | 8.31 | 5.85 | 2.51 | 1.00 | 8.91 |
2015 | 171500 | El Dorado Canyon | 30 | 8.74 | 5.52 | 2.50 | 1.75 | 8.89 |
2020 | 332943 | Archduke | 35 | 8.57 | 5.52 | 2.48 | 1.50 | 8.88 |
2020 | 309545 | Lucky Little Luxembourg | 37 | 8.69 | 5.55 | 2.47 | 1.71 | 8.87 |
2019 | 256885 | The Fantasy Trip: Legacy Edition | 389 | 9.34 | 5.73 | 2.46 | 2.83 | 8.86 |
2017 | 233951 | Vilar de Mouros | 36 | 8.25 | 5.51 | 2.46 | 1.00 | 8.85 |
2019 | 283151 | Monikers: Classics | 108 | 8.25 | 5.66 | 2.45 | 1.00 | 8.85 |
2014 | 160950 | The Badger Deck | 40 | 8.20 | 5.56 | 2.40 | 1.00 | 8.79 |
2009 | 151070 | Gladiatoris | 31 | 9.23 | 5.52 | 2.38 | 2.80 | 8.77 |
2015 | 203560 | Fall of Magic | 64 | 8.17 | 5.59 | 2.37 | 1.00 | 8.77 |
2018 | 263351 | Abstratus | 66 | 8.13 | 5.57 | 2.33 | 1.00 | 8.72 |
2017 | 221248 | Monikers: The Shut Up & Sit Down Nonsense Box | 361 | 8.10 | 5.95 | 2.30 | 1.00 | 8.69 |
2006 | 26386 | RPGQuest: Oriental Adventures | 38 | 8.49 | 5.51 | 2.30 | 1.67 | 8.69 |
We will adjust this using an approach similar to their Bayesian averaging methodology, adding 1000 ratings at the average of 5.5
We can put this all together to now look at games that are rated highly after adjusting for the effect of complexity. We’ll look at the top 250 to keep it simple.
published | game_id | name | geekrank | adjustedrank | rankdiff | geekrating | adjustedrating | complexity |
1876 | 521 | Crokinole | 60 | 1 | 59 | 7.69 | 8.22 | 1.25 |
2015 | 161936 | Pandemic Legacy: Season 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 8.44 | 8.06 | 2.83 |
2018 | 254640 | Just One | 145 | 3 | 142 | 7.40 | 8.04 | 1.05 |
2015 | 178900 | Codenames | 107 | 4 | 103 | 7.50 | 7.99 | 1.28 |
2015 | 173346 | 7 Wonders Duel | 18 | 5 | 13 | 7.98 | 7.95 | 2.23 |
2020 | 318977 | MicroMacro: Crime City | 212 | 6 | 206 | 7.28 | 7.92 | 1.13 |
2017 | 230802 | Azul | 63 | 7 | 56 | 7.68 | 7.90 | 1.77 |
2014 | 160069 | Ticket to Ride: 10th Anniversary | 99 | 8 | 91 | 7.53 | 7.89 | 1.90 |
2019 | 284083 | The Crew: The Quest for Planet Nine | 47 | 9 | 38 | 7.77 | 7.88 | 1.99 |
2014 | 165722 | KLASK | 248 | 10 | 238 | 7.21 | 7.87 | 1.08 |
2019 | 266507 | Clank!: Legacy – Acquisitions Incorporated | 29 | 11 | 18 | 7.88 | 7.85 | 2.69 |
2015 | 156546 | Monikers | 317 | 12 | 305 | 7.12 | 7.83 | 1.06 |
2018 | 244521 | The Quacks of Quedlinburg | 59 | 13 | 46 | 7.69 | 7.82 | 1.95 |
2014 | 163412 | Patchwork | 100 | 14 | 86 | 7.52 | 7.82 | 1.62 |
2019 | 266192 | Wingspan | 23 | 15 | 8 | 7.94 | 7.81 | 2.44 |
2011 | 92828 | Dixit: Odyssey | 242 | 16 | 226 | 7.22 | 7.80 | 1.18 |
2009 | 46213 | Telestrations | 281 | 17 | 264 | 7.16 | 7.79 | 1.08 |
2018 | 225694 | Decrypto | 104 | 19 | 85 | 7.52 | 7.78 | 1.79 |
2017 | 224037 | Codenames: Duet | 189 | 18 | 171 | 7.32 | 7.78 | 1.34 |
2016 | 192291 | Sushi Go Party! | 216 | 20 | 196 | 7.28 | 7.77 | 1.31 |
2009 | 54043 | Jaipur | 153 | 21 | 132 | 7.39 | 7.76 | 1.48 |
2016 | 204583 | Kingdomino | 239 | 22 | 217 | 7.22 | 7.76 | 1.22 |
2012 | 129622 | Love Letter | 297 | 23 | 274 | 7.14 | 7.68 | 1.19 |
2016 | 167791 | Terraforming Mars | 4 | 25 | -21 | 8.27 | 7.67 | 3.25 |
2008 | 39856 | Dixit | 310 | 24 | 286 | 7.13 | 7.67 | 1.21 |
2019 | 263918 | Cartographers | 113 | 26 | 87 | 7.48 | 7.66 | 1.90 |
2020 | 316554 | Dune: Imperium | 15 | 27 | -12 | 8.03 | 7.65 | 2.99 |
2016 | 209010 | Mechs vs. Minions | 56 | 30 | 26 | 7.71 | 7.64 | 2.43 |
2016 | 201808 | Clank!: A Deck-Building Adventure | 71 | 31 | 40 | 7.65 | 7.64 | 2.22 |
2016 | 188834 | Secret Hitler | 209 | 29 | 180 | 7.28 | 7.64 | 1.68 |
2019 | 262543 | Wavelength | 407 | 28 | 379 | 7.00 | 7.64 | 1.11 |
2012 | 128882 | The Resistance: Avalon | 159 | 32 | 127 | 7.38 | 7.63 | 1.76 |
2017 | 232832 | Century: Golem Edition | 213 | 34 | 179 | 7.28 | 7.63 | 1.68 |
2018 | 260605 | Camel Up (Second Edition) | 290 | 33 | 257 | 7.15 | 7.63 | 1.47 |
2014 | 156129 | Deception: Murder in Hong Kong | 211 | 35 | 176 | 7.28 | 7.62 | 1.59 |
2020 | 291457 | Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion | 5 | 37 | -32 | 8.27 | 7.61 | 3.59 |
2018 | 233867 | Welcome To... | 138 | 36 | 102 | 7.42 | 7.61 | 1.83 |
2017 | 174430 | Gloomhaven | 1 | 40 | -39 | 8.49 | 7.60 | 3.87 |
2019 | 253344 | Cthulhu: Death May Die | 114 | 42 | 72 | 7.48 | 7.60 | 2.40 |
2015 | 182631 | Star Realms: Colony Wars | 184 | 43 | 141 | 7.33 | 7.60 | 1.92 |
2020 | 294484 | Unmatched: Cobble & Fog | 258 | 41 | 217 | 7.20 | 7.60 | 1.96 |
1997 | 172 | For Sale | 322 | 44 | 278 | 7.11 | 7.60 | 1.26 |
2011 | 92415 | Skull | 403 | 39 | 364 | 7.01 | 7.60 | 1.13 |
2019 | 277085 | Love Letter | 504 | 38 | 466 | 6.91 | 7.60 | 1.13 |
2019 | 274960 | Point Salad | 396 | 45 | 351 | 7.02 | 7.59 | 1.17 |
2018 | 244522 | That's Pretty Clever! | 142 | 47 | 95 | 7.41 | 7.58 | 1.88 |
2016 | 199478 | Flamme Rouge | 220 | 49 | 171 | 7.26 | 7.58 | 1.69 |
2019 | 274637 | Unmatched: Battle of Legends, Volume One | 244 | 48 | 196 | 7.22 | 7.58 | 1.90 |
1995 | 150 | PitchCar | 416 | 46 | 370 | 7.00 | 7.58 | 1.13 |
2018 | 199792 | Everdell | 27 | 53 | -26 | 7.88 | 7.57 | 2.81 |
2014 | 147020 | Star Realms | 130 | 51 | 79 | 7.44 | 7.57 | 1.94 |
2016 | 198773 | Codenames: Pictures | 368 | 50 | 318 | 7.06 | 7.57 | 1.25 |
2008 | 36553 | Time's Up! Title Recall! | 469 | 52 | 417 | 6.94 | 7.57 | 1.19 |
2019 | 285774 | Marvel Champions: The Card Game | 36 | 54 | -18 | 7.81 | 7.56 | 2.87 |
2016 | 205059 | Mansions of Madness: Second Edition | 46 | 56 | -10 | 7.77 | 7.56 | 2.67 |
2019 | 271320 | The Castles of Burgundy | 48 | 60 | -12 | 7.76 | 7.56 | 2.98 |
2005 | 14996 | Ticket to Ride: Europe | 137 | 55 | 82 | 7.42 | 7.56 | 1.93 |
2017 | 217372 | The Quest for El Dorado | 143 | 57 | 86 | 7.40 | 7.56 | 1.93 |
2019 | 282524 | Horrified | 158 | 58 | 100 | 7.38 | 7.56 | 2.04 |
2018 | 239188 | Chronicles of Crime | 192 | 59 | 133 | 7.32 | 7.56 | 2.08 |
2019 | 266524 | PARKS | 121 | 63 | 58 | 7.47 | 7.55 | 2.16 |
2019 | 287954 | Azul: Summer Pavilion | 141 | 61 | 80 | 7.41 | 7.55 | 2.04 |
2013 | 158600 | Hanamikoji | 218 | 62 | 156 | 7.27 | 7.55 | 1.72 |
2019 | 281259 | The Isle of Cats | 103 | 64 | 39 | 7.52 | 7.54 | 2.31 |
2014 | 148228 | Splendor | 190 | 65 | 125 | 7.32 | 7.54 | 1.79 |
2016 | 193042 | Junk Art | 456 | 66 | 390 | 6.95 | 7.54 | 1.22 |
2020 | 312484 | Lost Ruins of Arnak | 32 | 68 | -36 | 7.87 | 7.53 | 2.87 |
2020 | 314040 | Pandemic Legacy: Season 0 | 69 | 69 | 0 | 7.66 | 7.53 | 3.04 |
2016 | 194655 | Santorini | 208 | 67 | 141 | 7.29 | 7.53 | 1.73 |
2010 | 68448 | 7 Wonders | 77 | 70 | 7 | 7.62 | 7.52 | 2.33 |
2018 | 256952 | Zombie Kidz Evolution | 500 | 71 | 429 | 6.92 | 7.52 | 1.39 |
2011 | 84876 | The Castles of Burgundy | 16 | 72 | -56 | 8.01 | 7.51 | 3.00 |
2018 | 230253 | Star Realms: Frontiers | 320 | 73 | 247 | 7.12 | 7.51 | 1.88 |
2019 | 274364 | Watergate | 132 | 79 | 53 | 7.44 | 7.50 | 2.26 |
2017 | 199561 | Sagrada | 169 | 76 | 93 | 7.36 | 7.50 | 1.93 |
2007 | 31627 | Ticket to Ride: Nordic Countries | 174 | 78 | 96 | 7.34 | 7.50 | 1.98 |
2016 | 209418 | Dominion (Second Edition) | 195 | 80 | 115 | 7.31 | 7.50 | 2.16 |
2016 | 198994 | Hero Realms | 223 | 75 | 148 | 7.26 | 7.50 | 1.89 |
2017 | 223040 | Fantasy Realms | 253 | 74 | 179 | 7.21 | 7.50 | 1.74 |
2017 | 230914 | Carcassonne Big Box 6 | 382 | 77 | 305 | 7.04 | 7.50 | 1.98 |
2015 | 183394 | Viticulture Essential Edition | 26 | 87 | -61 | 7.89 | 7.49 | 2.89 |
2019 | 269385 | TheLordoftheRings:JourneysinMiddle-Earth | 92 | 84 | 8 | 7.55 | 7.49 | 2.60 |
2020 | 279537 | The Search for Planet X | 156 | 81 | 75 | 7.38 | 7.49 | 2.34 |
2004 | 9209 | Ticket to Ride | 199 | 85 | 114 | 7.30 | 7.49 | 1.84 |
2004 | 12942 | No Thanks! | 477 | 83 | 394 | 6.94 | 7.49 | 1.14 |
2013 | 133473 | Sushi Go! | 492 | 86 | 406 | 6.92 | 7.49 | 1.16 |
2011 | 153016 | Telestrations: 12 Player Party Pack | 628 | 82 | 546 | 6.79 | 7.49 | 1.07 |
2018 | 224517 | Brass: Birmingham | 3 | 88 | -85 | 8.42 | 7.48 | 3.90 |
2013 | 124361 | Concordia | 19 | 89 | -70 | 7.97 | 7.48 | 3.01 |
2016 | 196326 | Love Letter Premium | 516 | 90 | 426 | 6.91 | 7.48 | 1.30 |
2018 | 167355 | Nemesis | 17 | 93 | -76 | 7.99 | 7.47 | 3.39 |
2000 | 822 | Carcassonne | 198 | 92 | 106 | 7.31 | 7.47 | 1.90 |
2014 | 160477 | Onitama | 270 | 91 | 179 | 7.18 | 7.47 | 1.68 |
2019 | 271324 | It's a Wonderful World | 135 | 95 | 40 | 7.43 | 7.46 | 2.30 |
1999 | 50 | Lost Cities | 326 | 94 | 232 | 7.10 | 7.46 | 1.49 |
2012 | 110327 | Lords of Waterdeep | 80 | 97 | -17 | 7.62 | 7.45 | 2.46 |
2018 | 249259 | War Chest | 180 | 96 | 84 | 7.33 | 7.45 | 2.32 |
2020 | 302723 | Forgotten Waters | 282 | 99 | 183 | 7.16 | 7.45 | 2.10 |
2009 | 41114 | The Resistance | 311 | 98 | 213 | 7.12 | 7.45 | 1.60 |
2019 | 270673 | Silver & Gold | 552 | 100 | 452 | 6.87 | 7.45 | 1.18 |
2019 | 268864 | Undaunted: Normandy | 187 | 103 | 84 | 7.32 | 7.44 | 2.24 |
2020 | 295486 | My City | 240 | 101 | 139 | 7.22 | 7.44 | 2.02 |
2017 | 219513 | Bärenpark | 308 | 104 | 204 | 7.13 | 7.44 | 1.65 |
2011 | 70323 | King of Tokyo | 353 | 102 | 251 | 7.07 | 7.44 | 1.49 |
2020 | 293141 | King of Tokyo: Dark Edition | 470 | 105 | 365 | 6.94 | 7.44 | 1.65 |
2012 | 117959 | Las Vegas | 543 | 106 | 437 | 6.88 | 7.44 | 1.18 |
2015 | 170216 | Blood Rage | 37 | 107 | -70 | 7.81 | 7.43 | 2.88 |
2020 | 283155 | Calico | 175 | 109 | 66 | 7.34 | 7.43 | 2.20 |
2018 | 244271 | Dice Throne: Season Two – Battle Chest | 338 | 108 | 230 | 7.08 | 7.43 | 2.16 |
2020 | 246900 | Eclipse: Second Dawn for the Galaxy | 31 | 110 | -79 | 7.87 | 7.42 | 3.59 |
2016 | 191189 | Aeon's End | 66 | 111 | -45 | 7.67 | 7.42 | 2.78 |
1982 | 2653 | Survive: Escape from Atlantis! | 303 | 113 | 190 | 7.14 | 7.42 | 1.70 |
2012 | 121288 | Dixit: Journey | 586 | 112 | 474 | 6.83 | 7.42 | 1.26 |
2009 | 40834 | Dominion: Intrigue | 91 | 115 | -24 | 7.55 | 7.41 | 2.42 |
2020 | 298047 | Marvel United | 378 | 116 | 262 | 7.05 | 7.41 | 1.82 |
1999 | 1353 | Time's Up! | 573 | 114 | 459 | 6.84 | 7.41 | 1.21 |
2014 | 164928 | Orléans | 28 | 117 | -89 | 7.88 | 7.40 | 3.04 |
2017 | 180263 | The 7th Continent | 58 | 119 | -61 | 7.70 | 7.40 | 2.90 |
2017 | 209685 | Century: Spice Road | 280 | 120 | 160 | 7.16 | 7.40 | 1.78 |
2014 | 147949 | One Night Ultimate Werewolf | 481 | 118 | 363 | 6.94 | 7.40 | 1.38 |
2008 | 36218 | Dominion | 108 | 123 | -15 | 7.49 | 7.39 | 2.35 |
2017 | 218417 | Aeon's End: War Eternal | 111 | 122 | -11 | 7.49 | 7.39 | 2.93 |
2020 | 293014 | Nidavellir | 219 | 124 | 95 | 7.26 | 7.39 | 2.14 |
2015 | 168584 | Love Letter: Batman | 625 | 121 | 504 | 6.79 | 7.39 | 1.20 |
2016 | 198928 | Pandemic: Iberia | 117 | 126 | -9 | 7.48 | 7.38 | 2.58 |
2018 | 242302 | Space Base | 194 | 125 | 69 | 7.31 | 7.38 | 2.11 |
2019 | 264055 | Draftosaurus | 566 | 127 | 439 | 6.85 | 7.38 | 1.26 |
2015 | 170042 | Raiders of the North Sea | 94 | 130 | -36 | 7.54 | 7.37 | 2.54 |
2017 | 233371 | Clank! In! Space!: A Deck-Building Adventure | 110 | 128 | -18 | 7.49 | 7.37 | 2.53 |
2000 | 760 | Battle Line | 252 | 129 | 123 | 7.21 | 7.37 | 1.90 |
2016 | 169786 | Scythe | 14 | 132 | -118 | 8.06 | 7.36 | 3.43 |
2018 | 245654 | Railroad Ink: Deep Blue Edition | 467 | 131 | 336 | 6.94 | 7.36 | 1.48 |
2012 | 135779 | A Fake Artist Goes to New York | 670 | 133 | 537 | 6.77 | 7.36 | 1.14 |
2017 | 218333 | Rhino Hero: Super Battle | 710 | 134 | 576 | 6.73 | 7.36 | 1.11 |
2016 | 187645 | Star Wars: Rebellion | 8 | 138 | -130 | 8.17 | 7.35 | 3.73 |
2016 | 171131 | Captain Sonar | 178 | 136 | 42 | 7.34 | 7.35 | 2.18 |
2010 | 154597 | Hive Pocket | 182 | 135 | 47 | 7.33 | 7.35 | 2.29 |
2015 | 163166 | One Night Ultimate Werewolf: Daybreak | 569 | 137 | 432 | 6.84 | 7.35 | 1.42 |
2008 | 30549 | Pandemic | 118 | 142 | -24 | 7.48 | 7.34 | 2.41 |
2012 | 118048 | Targi | 129 | 139 | -10 | 7.44 | 7.34 | 2.35 |
2004 | 10630 | Memoir '44 | 155 | 140 | 15 | 7.38 | 7.34 | 2.27 |
2017 | 215311 | Downforce | 366 | 143 | 223 | 7.06 | 7.34 | 1.73 |
2015 | 183251 | Karuba | 506 | 144 | 362 | 6.91 | 7.34 | 1.45 |
1994 | 432 | 6 nimmt! | 607 | 141 | 466 | 6.81 | 7.34 | 1.20 |
2018 | 244992 | The Mind | 738 | 146 | 592 | 6.72 | 7.33 | 1.07 |
2004 | 16747 | Tumblin-Dice | 775 | 145 | 630 | 6.69 | 7.33 | 1.04 |
2016 | 189932 | Tyrants of the Underdark | 176 | 150 | 26 | 7.34 | 7.32 | 2.55 |
2013 | 150145 | Skull King | 450 | 151 | 299 | 6.96 | 7.32 | 1.71 |
2019 | 274638 | Unmatched: Robin Hood vs. Bigfoot | 526 | 149 | 377 | 6.89 | 7.32 | 1.94 |
2020 | 260180 | Project L | 577 | 147 | 430 | 6.84 | 7.32 | 1.54 |
2011 | 91514 | Rhino Hero | 797 | 148 | 649 | 6.68 | 7.32 | 1.02 |
2005 | 12333 | Twilight Struggle | 13 | 154 | -141 | 8.11 | 7.31 | 3.60 |
2011 | 108687 | Puerto Rico | 79 | 153 | -74 | 7.62 | 7.31 | 3.27 |
2012 | 103885 | Star Wars: X-Wing Miniatures Game | 134 | 152 | -18 | 7.43 | 7.31 | 2.49 |
2017 | 206718 | Ethnos | 263 | 160 | 103 | 7.19 | 7.31 | 2.03 |
2019 | 264241 | Mandala | 437 | 155 | 282 | 6.97 | 7.31 | 1.78 |
2012 | 131357 | Coup | 554 | 158 | 396 | 6.86 | 7.31 | 1.41 |
2003 | 5782 | Coloretto | 587 | 157 | 430 | 6.83 | 7.31 | 1.28 |
2014 | 169654 | Deep Sea Adventure | 696 | 156 | 540 | 6.74 | 7.31 | 1.17 |
2017 | 227456 | Escape the Dark Castle | 1,314 | 159 | 1,155 | 6.38 | 7.31 | 1.22 |
2015 | 172287 | Champions of Midgard | 112 | 163 | -51 | 7.48 | 7.30 | 2.59 |
2020 | 306735 | Under Falling Skies | 201 | 161 | 40 | 7.30 | 7.30 | 2.46 |
1999 | 372 | Schotten Totten | 400 | 162 | 238 | 7.02 | 7.30 | 1.72 |
2015 | 181304 | Mysterium | 302 | 165 | 137 | 7.14 | 7.29 | 1.90 |
2007 | 34219 | Biblios | 393 | 164 | 229 | 7.02 | 7.29 | 1.68 |
2017 | 221965 | The Fox in the Forest | 471 | 168 | 303 | 6.94 | 7.29 | 1.58 |
2014 | 153938 | Camel Up | 520 | 167 | 353 | 6.90 | 7.29 | 1.47 |
2017 | 207830 | 5-Minute Dungeon | 853 | 166 | 687 | 6.64 | 7.29 | 1.12 |
2019 | 264220 | Tainted Grail: The Fall of Avalon | 83 | 173 | -90 | 7.59 | 7.28 | 3.30 |
2018 | 236457 | Architects of the West Kingdom | 84 | 170 | -86 | 7.58 | 7.28 | 2.76 |
2018 | 251658 | Sprawlopolis | 391 | 174 | 217 | 7.02 | 7.28 | 1.85 |
2013 | 143741 | BANG! The Dice Game | 633 | 169 | 464 | 6.79 | 7.28 | 1.28 |
2005 | 20100 | Wits & Wagers | 674 | 171 | 503 | 6.76 | 7.28 | 1.21 |
2019 | 283864 | Trails of Tucana | 741 | 172 | 569 | 6.71 | 7.28 | 1.26 |
2019 | 262712 | Res Arcana | 124 | 175 | -51 | 7.46 | 7.27 | 2.61 |
2018 | 233398 | Endeavor: Age of Sail | 126 | 178 | -52 | 7.44 | 7.27 | 2.81 |
2014 | 157969 | Sheriff of Nottingham | 417 | 176 | 241 | 6.99 | 7.27 | 1.65 |
2020 | 316377 | 7 Wonders (Second Edition) | 485 | 177 | 308 | 6.93 | 7.27 | 2.21 |
2017 | 221107 | Pandemic Legacy: Season 2 | 44 | 181 | -137 | 7.78 | 7.26 | 3.24 |
1991 | 215 | Tichu | 197 | 179 | 18 | 7.31 | 7.26 | 2.34 |
2016 | 199042 | Harry Potter: Hogwarts Battle | 321 | 180 | 141 | 7.11 | 7.26 | 2.09 |
2005 | 15512 | Diamant | 774 | 182 | 592 | 6.69 | 7.26 | 1.11 |
2017 | 233078 | Twilight Imperium: Fourth Edition | 6 | 191 | -185 | 8.25 | 7.25 | 4.26 |
2016 | 193738 | Great Western Trail | 12 | 190 | -178 | 8.12 | 7.25 | 3.71 |
2016 | 205637 | Arkham Horror: The Card Game | 24 | 188 | -164 | 7.93 | 7.25 | 3.49 |
2014 | 157354 | Five Tribes | 75 | 192 | -117 | 7.64 | 7.25 | 2.85 |
2008 | 34635 | Stone Age | 133 | 186 | -53 | 7.43 | 7.25 | 2.47 |
2015 | 176189 | Zombicide: Black Plague | 204 | 183 | 21 | 7.29 | 7.25 | 2.50 |
2014 | 156009 | Port Royal | 489 | 185 | 304 | 6.93 | 7.25 | 1.62 |
1995 | 220 | High Society | 550 | 184 | 366 | 6.87 | 7.25 | 1.50 |
1980 | 41 | Can't Stop | 758 | 187 | 571 | 6.70 | 7.25 | 1.15 |
2012 | 131260 | Qwixx | 818 | 189 | 629 | 6.67 | 7.25 | 1.11 |
2018 | 231733 | Obsession | 149 | 196 | -47 | 7.40 | 7.24 | 3.16 |
2018 | 256916 | Concordia Venus | 150 | 194 | -44 | 7.40 | 7.24 | 3.06 |
2011 | 70919 | Takenoko | 312 | 197 | 115 | 7.12 | 7.24 | 1.97 |
2018 | 246192 | Gizmos | 336 | 195 | 141 | 7.09 | 7.24 | 2.01 |
2019 | 245655 | The King's Dilemma | 381 | 198 | 183 | 7.04 | 7.24 | 2.29 |
2020 | 291794 | Dice Throne: Season One ReRolled | 619 | 193 | 426 | 6.80 | 7.24 | 2.07 |
2014 | 146652 | LegendaryEncounters:AnAlienDeckBuildingGame | 131 | 200 | -69 | 7.44 | 7.23 | 2.70 |
2012 | 129437 | Legendary: A Marvel Deck Building Game | 203 | 201 | 2 | 7.29 | 7.23 | 2.44 |
2016 | 204305 | ShrlckHlmsCnsltngDtctv:JckthRppr&WstEndAdvntr | 349 | 202 | 147 | 7.07 | 7.23 | 2.20 |
2019 | 258210 | Blitzkrieg!: World War Two in 20 Minutes | 525 | 203 | 322 | 6.89 | 7.23 | 1.86 |
2017 | 219215 | Werewords | 856 | 199 | 657 | 6.64 | 7.23 | 1.16 |
1982 | 2511 | SherlockHolmsCnsltngDtctv:ThThmsMrdrs&OthrCss | 119 | 206 | -87 | 7.47 | 7.22 | 2.67 |
2011 | 25021 | Sekigahara: The Unification of Japan | 171 | 204 | -33 | 7.35 | 7.22 | 2.80 |
2018 | 256226 | Azul: Stained Glass of Sintra | 350 | 208 | 142 | 7.07 | 7.22 | 2.01 |
2010 | 98778 | Hanabi | 435 | 207 | 228 | 6.97 | 7.22 | 1.69 |
1800 | 45 | Perudo | 734 | 205 | 529 | 6.72 | 7.22 | 1.26 |
1999 | 12 | Ra | 193 | 216 | -23 | 7.31 | 7.21 | 2.35 |
2015 | 176494 | Isle of Skye: From Chieftain to King | 224 | 210 | 14 | 7.26 | 7.21 | 2.24 |
2018 | 246784 | Cryptid | 275 | 215 | 60 | 7.17 | 7.21 | 2.22 |
2019 | 270633 | Aeon's End: The New Age | 342 | 213 | 129 | 7.08 | 7.21 | 2.93 |
2017 | 186751 | Mythic Battles: Pantheon | 343 | 209 | 134 | 7.08 | 7.21 | 3.04 |
2014 | 166384 | Spyfall | 747 | 212 | 535 | 6.71 | 7.21 | 1.24 |
2018 | 256788 | Detective Club | 883 | 217 | 666 | 6.62 | 7.21 | 1.27 |
2019 | 270314 | Ohanami | 930 | 211 | 719 | 6.59 | 7.21 | 1.12 |
2016 | 177524 | ICECOOL | 935 | 214 | 721 | 6.59 | 7.21 | 1.03 |
2002 | 3076 | Puerto Rico | 34 | 226 | -192 | 7.83 | 7.20 | 3.28 |
2016 | 155821 | Inis | 106 | 222 | -116 | 7.51 | 7.20 | 2.88 |
2014 | 155068 | Arcadia Quest | 222 | 230 | -8 | 7.26 | 7.20 | 2.53 |
2019 | 241451 | Aeon's End: Legacy | 230 | 223 | 7 | 7.25 | 7.20 | 2.84 |
2019 | 271896 | Star Wars: Outer Rim | 245 | 225 | 20 | 7.21 | 7.20 | 2.49 |
2015 | 171908 | El Grande Big Box | 264 | 229 | 35 | 7.19 | 7.20 | 2.80 |
2016 | 188866 | Awkward Guests | 318 | 224 | 94 | 7.12 | 7.20 | 2.31 |
2014 | 166669 | San Juan (Second Edition) | 363 | 227 | 136 | 7.06 | 7.20 | 2.07 |
2017 | 194594 | Dice Forge | 371 | 218 | 153 | 7.05 | 7.20 | 1.96 |
2020 | 319966 | The King Is Dead: Second Edition | 438 | 220 | 218 | 6.97 | 7.20 | 2.14 |
1997 | 11 | Bohnanza | 484 | 219 | 265 | 6.93 | 7.20 | 1.67 |
2019 | 247367 | Air, Land, and Sea | 549 | 221 | 328 | 6.87 | 7.20 | 1.79 |
2014 | 155362 | Ca$h 'n Guns (Second Edition) | 772 | 228 | 544 | 6.69 | 7.20 | 1.25 |
1992 | 118 | Modern Art | 221 | 231 | -10 | 7.26 | 7.19 | 2.30 |
2015 | 163967 | Tiny Epic Galaxies | 289 | 239 | 50 | 7.15 | 7.19 | 2.15 |
2015 | 180974 | Potion Explosion | 468 | 232 | 236 | 6.94 | 7.19 | 1.76 |
2018 | 216734 | Dice Throne: Season One | 553 | 234 | 319 | 6.87 | 7.19 | 2.07 |
2012 | 113294 | Escape: The Curse of the Temple | 601 | 233 | 368 | 6.81 | 7.19 | 1.48 |
2018 | 251678 | Railroad Ink: Blazing Red Edition | 718 | 238 | 480 | 6.73 | 7.19 | 1.42 |
2015 | 175117 | Celestia | 760 | 236 | 524 | 6.70 | 7.19 | 1.33 |
2017 | 195314 | Herbaceous | 904 | 237 | 667 | 6.61 | 7.19 | 1.20 |
2013 | 145639 | Coconuts | 1,003 | 235 | 768 | 6.55 | 7.19 | 1.04 |
2006 | 14105 | Commands & Colors: Ancients | 172 | 244 | -72 | 7.35 | 7.18 | 2.69 |
2018 | 223321 | Detective: A Modern Crime Board Game | 186 | 241 | -55 | 7.32 | 7.18 | 2.74 |
2015 | 140934 | Arboretum | 291 | 245 | 46 | 7.15 | 7.18 | 2.15 |
2020 | 286749 | Hansa Teutonica: Big Box | 324 | 243 | 81 | 7.11 | 7.18 | 2.83 |
2015 | 161614 | Stockpile | 376 | 240 | 136 | 7.05 | 7.18 | 2.12 |
2007 | 28023 | Jamaica | 531 | 242 | 289 | 6.89 | 7.18 | 1.65 |
2014 | 164153 | Star Wars: Imperial Assault | 57 | 250 | -193 | 7.71 | 7.17 | 3.30 |
2014 | 148949 | Istanbul | 139 | 246 | -107 | 7.42 | 7.17 | 2.59 |
2016 | 169426 | Roll Player | 210 | 248 | -38 | 7.28 | 7.17 | 2.41 |
2020 | 300531 | Paleo | 254 | 249 | 5 | 7.20 | 7.17 | 2.63 |
2014 | 172931 | Outfoxed! | 1,020 | 247 | 773 | 6.54 | 7.17 | 1.13 |
This gets us a list of games that is wildly different than before, and it’s a list of games that are much more palatable to “normal people”. In my mind, Crokinole taking the top spot makes a ton of sense and I will die on this hill.
I’ll make an interactive table here so it’s easy to search for games and compare how games stack up on the different rankings.
Which games have moved up and down the most? We can look at the difference between the BGG Rank and the Complexity adjusted ranks.

We want to focus in on the games that see a positive and negative shift in particular. Let’s look at the games that are penalized the most.
date | name | geekrating | adjustedrating | rating_diff |
2022-04-17 | Through the Ages: A New Story of Civilization | 8.14 | 6.91 | -1.23 |
2022-04-17 | Mage Knight Board Game | 7.87 | 6.70 | -1.17 |
2022-04-17 | Gaia Project | 8.17 | 7.01 | -1.16 |
2022-04-17 | On Mars | 7.72 | 6.58 | -1.14 |
2022-04-17 | Lisboa | 7.68 | 6.58 | -1.11 |
2022-04-17 | Through the Ages: A Story of Civilization | 7.66 | 6.58 | -1.09 |
2022-04-17 | Twilight Imperium: Third Edition | 7.55 | 6.46 | -1.09 |
2022-04-17 | Food Chain Magnate | 7.83 | 6.75 | -1.08 |
2022-04-17 | The Gallerist | 7.68 | 6.64 | -1.05 |
2022-04-17 | Dominant Species | 7.61 | 6.59 | -1.02 |
2022-04-17 | Terra Mystica | 7.96 | 6.94 | -1.02 |
2022-04-17 | Spirit Island | 8.14 | 7.13 | -1.01 |
2022-04-17 | Twilight Imperium: Fourth Edition | 8.25 | 7.25 | -1.01 |
2022-04-17 | War of the Ring: Second Edition | 8.14 | 7.15 | -0.99 |
2022-04-17 | Kanban: Driver's Edition | 7.29 | 6.32 | -0.97 |
2022-04-17 | Die Macher | 7.10 | 6.15 | -0.95 |
2022-04-17 | Trickerion: Legends of Illusion | 7.48 | 6.53 | -0.95 |
2022-04-17 | Brass: Birmingham | 8.42 | 7.48 | -0.94 |
2022-04-17 | Alchemists | 7.44 | 6.51 | -0.93 |
2022-04-17 | Brass: Lancashire | 7.97 | 7.04 | -0.93 |
2022-04-17 | Anachrony | 7.76 | 6.85 | -0.91 |
2022-04-17 | Barrage | 7.80 | 6.89 | -0.91 |
2022-04-17 | Robinson Crusoe: Adventures on the Cursed Island | 7.64 | 6.73 | -0.90 |
2022-04-17 | Caylus | 7.57 | 6.66 | -0.90 |
2022-04-17 | Caverna: The Cave Farmers | 7.82 | 6.91 | -0.90 |
2022-04-17 | A Feast for Odin | 7.95 | 7.06 | -0.90 |
2022-04-17 | Gloomhaven | 8.49 | 7.60 | -0.89 |
2022-04-17 | Le Havre | 7.71 | 6.82 | -0.89 |
2022-04-17 | Sid Meier's Civilization: The Board Game | 7.14 | 6.25 | -0.88 |
2022-04-17 | Mombasa | 7.55 | 6.67 | -0.87 |
2022-04-17 | Great Western Trail | 8.12 | 7.25 | -0.87 |
2022-04-17 | Go | 7.32 | 6.45 | -0.86 |
2022-04-17 | Ora et Labora | 7.37 | 6.50 | -0.86 |
2022-04-17 | Tzolk'in: The Mayan Calendar | 7.74 | 6.88 | -0.86 |
2022-04-17 | Age of Steam | 7.44 | 6.59 | -0.85 |
2022-04-17 | Madeira | 6.96 | 6.11 | -0.85 |
2022-04-17 | Agricola | 7.80 | 6.95 | -0.85 |
2022-04-17 | Vinhos | 6.92 | 6.07 | -0.85 |
2022-04-17 | Root | 7.89 | 7.05 | -0.84 |
2022-04-17 | Advanced Squad Leader | 7.06 | 6.21 | -0.84 |
2022-04-17 | Eclipse | 7.67 | 6.84 | -0.84 |
2022-04-17 | Antiquity | 7.17 | 6.33 | -0.83 |
2022-04-17 | Maracaibo | 7.78 | 6.95 | -0.83 |
2022-04-17 | Teotihuacan: City of Gods | 7.64 | 6.81 | -0.83 |
2022-04-17 | A Game of Thrones: The Board Game (Second Edition) | 7.36 | 6.54 | -0.82 |
2022-04-17 | 1830: Railways & Robber Barons | 7.25 | 6.43 | -0.82 |
2022-04-17 | Star Wars: Rebellion | 8.17 | 7.35 | -0.82 |
2022-04-17 | The Republic of Rome | 6.85 | 6.04 | -0.81 |
2022-04-17 | Feudum | 6.80 | 5.99 | -0.81 |
2022-04-17 | Chess | 6.97 | 6.17 | -0.81 |
This list makes a lot of sense to me - the ratings themselves are still pretty good for some of these games, but these are all very, very heavy games. A lot of Vital Lacerda showing up in here, which to me epitomizes the disconnect between Geek Ratings and ‘ratings for people who fun games’. The former is heavily slanted towards people who relish complexity, whereas the latter is slanted towards games that provide heavy bang for their buck in terms of their weight.
The list of games that go up the most is on the other hand very light, party games. Even with the boost from being simple, many of these games still aren’t rated that highly, though some notable ones (Monikers, MicroMacro, KLASK, Just One) end up near the top of the overall list.
date | name | geekrating | adjustedrating | rating_diff |
2022-04-17 | Escape the Dark Castle | 6.38 | 7.31 | 0.93 |
2022-04-17 | Virus! | 6.27 | 6.99 | 0.72 |
2022-04-17 | Monikers | 7.12 | 7.83 | 0.71 |
2022-04-17 | The Fantasy Trip: Legacy Edition | 5.73 | 6.44 | 0.71 |
2022-04-17 | Telestrations: 12 Player Party Pack | 6.79 | 7.49 | 0.70 |
2022-04-17 | Exploding Kittens | 5.86 | 6.56 | 0.69 |
2022-04-17 | Love Letter | 6.91 | 7.60 | 0.69 |
2022-04-17 | Exploding Kittens: NSFW Deck | 5.97 | 6.65 | 0.68 |
2022-04-17 | Arena: The Contest | 6.04 | 6.71 | 0.67 |
2022-04-17 | KLASK | 7.21 | 7.87 | 0.66 |
2022-04-17 | The Binding of Isaac: Four Souls | 5.98 | 6.64 | 0.66 |
2022-04-17 | Cross Clues | 6.31 | 6.97 | 0.66 |
2022-04-17 | Dungeon Mayhem | 6.24 | 6.90 | 0.66 |
2022-04-17 | Love Letter: Adventure Time | 6.30 | 6.95 | 0.65 |
2022-04-17 | Spot it! | 6.42 | 7.07 | 0.65 |
2022-04-17 | 5-Minute Dungeon | 6.64 | 7.29 | 0.65 |
2022-04-17 | Coconuts | 6.55 | 7.19 | 0.65 |
2022-04-17 | Rhino Hero | 6.68 | 7.32 | 0.64 |
2022-04-17 | Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza | 6.12 | 6.76 | 0.64 |
2022-04-17 | Tumblin-Dice | 6.69 | 7.33 | 0.64 |
2022-04-17 | Joking Hazard | 6.06 | 6.70 | 0.64 |
2022-04-17 | Wavelength | 7.00 | 7.64 | 0.64 |
2022-04-17 | MicroMacro: Crime City | 7.28 | 7.92 | 0.64 |
2022-04-17 | Just One | 7.40 | 8.04 | 0.64 |
2022-04-17 | Imagine | 6.38 | 7.02 | 0.64 |
2022-04-17 | Outfoxed! | 6.54 | 7.17 | 0.63 |
2022-04-17 | Telestrations | 7.16 | 7.79 | 0.63 |
2022-04-17 | Men at Work | 6.53 | 7.15 | 0.63 |
2022-04-17 | Rhino Hero: Super Battle | 6.73 | 7.36 | 0.63 |
2022-04-17 | Time's Up! Title Recall! | 6.94 | 7.57 | 0.62 |
2022-04-17 | Cards Against Humanity | 5.67 | 6.30 | 0.62 |
2022-04-17 | Sleeping Queens | 6.09 | 6.71 | 0.62 |
2022-04-17 | ICECOOL | 6.59 | 7.21 | 0.62 |
2022-04-17 | Animal Upon Animal | 6.55 | 7.16 | 0.62 |
2022-04-17 | Ohanami | 6.59 | 7.21 | 0.62 |
2022-04-17 | Anomia | 6.24 | 6.86 | 0.62 |
2022-04-17 | UNO | 5.32 | 5.93 | 0.62 |
2022-04-17 | Telestrations After Dark | 6.13 | 6.74 | 0.61 |
2022-04-17 | Orchard: A 9 card solitaire game | 6.55 | 7.16 | 0.61 |
2022-04-17 | Strike | 6.32 | 6.93 | 0.61 |
2022-04-17 | The Mind | 6.72 | 7.33 | 0.61 |
2022-04-17 | The Chameleon | 6.16 | 6.77 | 0.61 |
2022-04-17 | Loopin' Louie | 6.54 | 7.14 | 0.61 |
2022-04-17 | Zombie Dice | 6.08 | 6.69 | 0.61 |
2022-04-17 | Village Pillage | 6.00 | 6.61 | 0.60 |
2022-04-17 | Pictures | 6.30 | 6.90 | 0.60 |
2022-04-17 | Zombie Kidz Evolution | 6.92 | 7.52 | 0.60 |
2022-04-17 | Love Letter: Batman | 6.79 | 7.39 | 0.60 |
2022-04-17 | Exploding Kittens: Party Pack | 5.98 | 6.58 | 0.60 |
2022-04-17 | Timeline: General Interest | 6.37 | 6.97 | 0.60 |
Let’s restrict to games inside the BGG Top 100 and see how these games are affected.
date | name | geekrating | adjustedrating | rank_diff |
2022-04-17 | Ticket to Ride: 10th Anniversary | 7.53 | 7.89 | 91 |
2022-04-17 | Patchwork | 7.52 | 7.82 | 86 |
2022-04-17 | Crokinole | 7.69 | 8.22 | 59 |
2022-04-17 | Azul | 7.68 | 7.90 | 56 |
2022-04-17 | The Quacks of Quedlinburg | 7.69 | 7.82 | 46 |
2022-04-17 | Clank!: A Deck-Building Adventure | 7.65 | 7.64 | 40 |
2022-04-17 | The Crew: The Quest for Planet Nine | 7.77 | 7.88 | 38 |
2022-04-17 | Mechs vs. Minions | 7.71 | 7.64 | 26 |
2022-04-17 | Clank!: Legacy – Acquisitions Incorporated | 7.88 | 7.85 | 18 |
2022-04-17 | 7 Wonders Duel | 7.98 | 7.95 | 13 |
2022-04-17 | The Lord of the Rings: Journeys in Middle-Earth | 7.55 | 7.49 | 8 |
2022-04-17 | Wingspan | 7.94 | 7.81 | 8 |
2022-04-17 | 7 Wonders | 7.62 | 7.52 | 7 |
2022-04-17 | Pandemic Legacy: Season 0 | 7.66 | 7.53 | 0 |
2022-04-17 | Pandemic Legacy: Season 1 | 8.44 | 8.06 | 0 |
2022-04-17 | Mansions of Madness: Second Edition | 7.77 | 7.56 | -10 |
2022-04-17 | The Castles of Burgundy | 7.76 | 7.56 | -12 |
2022-04-17 | Dune: Imperium | 8.03 | 7.65 | -12 |
2022-04-17 | Lords of Waterdeep | 7.62 | 7.45 | -17 |
2022-04-17 | Marvel Champions: The Card Game | 7.81 | 7.56 | -18 |
2022-04-17 | Terraforming Mars | 8.27 | 7.67 | -21 |
2022-04-17 | Dominion: Intrigue | 7.55 | 7.41 | -24 |
2022-04-17 | Everdell | 7.88 | 7.57 | -26 |
2022-04-17 | Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion | 8.27 | 7.61 | -32 |
2022-04-17 | Raiders of the North Sea | 7.54 | 7.37 | -36 |
2022-04-17 | Lost Ruins of Arnak | 7.87 | 7.53 | -36 |
2022-04-17 | Gloomhaven | 8.49 | 7.60 | -39 |
2022-04-17 | Aeon's End | 7.67 | 7.42 | -45 |
2022-04-17 | The Castles of Burgundy | 8.01 | 7.51 | -56 |
2022-04-17 | The 7th Continent | 7.70 | 7.40 | -61 |
2022-04-17 | Viticulture Essential Edition | 7.89 | 7.49 | -61 |
2022-04-17 | Blood Rage | 7.81 | 7.43 | -70 |
2022-04-17 | Concordia | 7.97 | 7.48 | -70 |
2022-04-17 | Puerto Rico | 7.62 | 7.31 | -74 |
2022-04-17 | Nemesis | 7.99 | 7.47 | -76 |
2022-04-17 | Eclipse: Second Dawn for the Galaxy | 7.87 | 7.42 | -79 |
2022-04-17 | Brass: Birmingham | 8.42 | 7.48 | -85 |
2022-04-17 | Architects of the West Kingdom | 7.58 | 7.28 | -86 |
2022-04-17 | Orléans | 7.88 | 7.40 | -89 |
2022-04-17 | Tainted Grail: The Fall of Avalon | 7.59 | 7.28 | -90 |
2022-04-17 | Five Tribes | 7.64 | 7.25 | -117 |
2022-04-17 | Scythe | 8.06 | 7.36 | -118 |
2022-04-17 | Star Wars: Rebellion | 8.17 | 7.35 | -130 |
2022-04-17 | Pandemic Legacy: Season 2 | 7.78 | 7.26 | -137 |
2022-04-17 | Twilight Struggle | 8.11 | 7.31 | -141 |
2022-04-17 | Arkham Horror: The Card Game | 7.93 | 7.25 | -164 |
2022-04-17 | Great Western Trail | 8.12 | 7.25 | -178 |
2022-04-17 | Twilight Imperium: Fourth Edition | 8.25 | 7.25 | -185 |
2022-04-17 | Race for the Galaxy | 7.65 | 7.16 | -188 |
2022-04-17 | Puerto Rico | 7.83 | 7.20 | -192 |
2022-04-17 | Star Wars: Imperial Assault | 7.71 | 7.17 | -193 |
2022-04-17 | El Grande | 7.57 | 7.08 | -221 |
2022-04-17 | Too Many Bones | 7.81 | 7.15 | -224 |
2022-04-17 | Grand Austria Hotel | 7.61 | 7.08 | -231 |
2022-04-17 | The Voyages of Marco Polo | 7.63 | 7.08 | -236 |
2022-04-17 | Pax Pamir: Second Edition | 7.78 | 7.10 | -252 |
2022-04-17 | Power Grid | 7.73 | 7.08 | -254 |
2022-04-17 | War of the Ring: Second Edition | 8.14 | 7.15 | -254 |
2022-04-17 | Kingdom Death: Monster | 7.72 | 7.08 | -260 |
2022-04-17 | Spirit Island | 8.14 | 7.13 | -264 |
2022-04-17 | Underwater Cities | 7.78 | 7.06 | -285 |
2022-04-17 | Clans of Caledonia | 7.72 | 7.05 | -294 |
2022-04-17 | Lorenzo il Magnifico | 7.53 | 7.00 | -301 |
2022-04-17 | Mage Knight: Ultimate Edition | 7.79 | 7.05 | -308 |
2022-04-17 | A Feast for Odin | 7.95 | 7.06 | -310 |
2022-04-17 | Android: Netrunner | 7.66 | 7.02 | -314 |
2022-04-17 | Agricola (Revised Edition) | 7.62 | 7.00 | -315 |
2022-04-17 | Root | 7.89 | 7.05 | -317 |
2022-04-17 | Battlestar Galactica: The Board Game | 7.56 | 6.98 | -334 |
2022-04-17 | Brass: Lancashire | 7.97 | 7.04 | -336 |
2022-04-17 | Eldritch Horror | 7.54 | 6.97 | -337 |
2022-04-17 | Gaia Project | 8.17 | 7.01 | -379 |
2022-04-17 | Keyflower | 7.58 | 6.93 | -406 |
2022-04-17 | Maracaibo | 7.78 | 6.95 | -412 |
2022-04-17 | Agricola | 7.80 | 6.95 | -421 |
2022-04-17 | Paladins of the West Kingdom | 7.67 | 6.93 | -422 |
2022-04-17 | Terra Mystica | 7.96 | 6.94 | -452 |
2022-04-17 | Caverna: The Cave Farmers | 7.82 | 6.91 | -471 |
2022-04-17 | Barrage | 7.80 | 6.89 | -500 |
2022-04-17 | Through the Ages: A New Story of Civilization | 8.14 | 6.91 | -503 |
2022-04-17 | Kanban EV | 7.53 | 6.85 | -513 |
2022-04-17 | Tzolk'in: The Mayan Calendar | 7.74 | 6.88 | -517 |
2022-04-17 | Troyes | 7.55 | 6.83 | -538 |
2022-04-17 | Fields of Arle | 7.64 | 6.84 | -545 |
2022-04-17 | Eclipse | 7.67 | 6.84 | -559 |
2022-04-17 | Anachrony | 7.76 | 6.85 | -565 |
2022-04-17 | Teotihuacan: City of Gods | 7.64 | 6.81 | -584 |
2022-04-17 | Le Havre | 7.71 | 6.82 | -590 |
2022-04-17 | Tigris & Euphrates | 7.53 | 6.78 | -607 |
2022-04-17 | Food Chain Magnate | 7.83 | 6.75 | -726 |
2022-04-17 | Robinson Crusoe: Adventures on the Cursed Island | 7.64 | 6.73 | -730 |
2022-04-17 | Mombasa | 7.55 | 6.67 | -823 |
2022-04-17 | Mage Knight Board Game | 7.87 | 6.70 | -835 |
2022-04-17 | Caylus | 7.57 | 6.66 | -856 |
2022-04-17 | The Gallerist | 7.68 | 6.64 | -936 |
2022-04-17 | Dominant Species | 7.61 | 6.59 | -1,020 |
2022-04-17 | Through the Ages: A Story of Civilization | 7.66 | 6.58 | -1,079 |
2022-04-17 | On Mars | 7.72 | 6.58 | -1,081 |
2022-04-17 | Lisboa | 7.68 | 6.58 | -1,083 |
2022-04-17 | Twilight Imperium: Third Edition | 7.55 | 6.46 | -1,368 |
It’s important to remember that this is meant to be a ranking list for someone who sees complexity as a negative moreso than a positive. Terra Mystica and Gaia Project might be great games for someone like me who is into the hobby, but would it rank highly for someone who isn’t that keen on games? Probably not.
The list of complexity adjusted games is pretty great for recommending games to a beginner, but it’s not as helpful for people who have been in the hobby longer. If you do like more complex games, what list should you look at? The Geek list as it currently stands is still probably good, but its not without its problems.
The Geek Ratings are heavily skewed towards games that have been released in recent years: all of the top 10 games were released after 2015, and only 5 of the top 50 were released prior to 2010. Either we truly seeing the pinnacle of game design in the last 10 years (this is possible), or it means that the BGG users have a tendency to seek out and rate the hotness, which skews the list towards recent games.
yearpublished | game_id | name | rank | bayesaverage |
2017 | 174430 | Gloomhaven | 1 | 8.49 |
2015 | 161936 | Pandemic Legacy: Season 1 | 2 | 8.44 |
2018 | 224517 | Brass: Birmingham | 3 | 8.42 |
2016 | 167791 | Terraforming Mars | 4 | 8.27 |
2020 | 291457 | Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion | 5 | 8.27 |
2017 | 233078 | Twilight Imperium: Fourth Edition | 6 | 8.25 |
2017 | 220308 | Gaia Project | 7 | 8.17 |
2016 | 187645 | Star Wars: Rebellion | 8 | 8.17 |
2017 | 162886 | Spirit Island | 9 | 8.14 |
2011 | 115746 | War of the Ring: Second Edition | 10 | 8.14 |
2015 | 182028 | Through the Ages: A New Story of Civilization | 11 | 8.14 |
2016 | 193738 | Great Western Trail | 12 | 8.12 |
2005 | 12333 | Twilight Struggle | 13 | 8.11 |
2016 | 169786 | Scythe | 14 | 8.06 |
2020 | 316554 | Dune: Imperium | 15 | 8.03 |
2011 | 84876 | The Castles of Burgundy | 16 | 8.01 |
2018 | 167355 | Nemesis | 17 | 7.99 |
2015 | 173346 | 7 Wonders Duel | 18 | 7.98 |
2013 | 124361 | Concordia | 19 | 7.97 |
2007 | 28720 | Brass: Lancashire | 20 | 7.97 |
2012 | 120677 | Terra Mystica | 21 | 7.96 |
2016 | 177736 | A Feast for Odin | 22 | 7.95 |
2019 | 266192 | Wingspan | 23 | 7.94 |
2016 | 205637 | Arkham Horror: The Card Game | 24 | 7.93 |
2018 | 237182 | Root | 25 | 7.89 |
2015 | 183394 | Viticulture Essential Edition | 26 | 7.89 |
2018 | 199792 | Everdell | 27 | 7.88 |
2014 | 164928 | Orléans | 28 | 7.88 |
2019 | 266507 | Clank!: Legacy – Acquisitions Incorporated | 29 | 7.88 |
2011 | 96848 | Mage Knight Board Game | 30 | 7.87 |
2020 | 246900 | Eclipse: Second Dawn for the Galaxy | 31 | 7.87 |
2020 | 312484 | Lost Ruins of Arnak | 32 | 7.87 |
2021 | 342942 | Ark Nova | 33 | 7.85 |
2015 | 175914 | Food Chain Magnate | 34 | 7.83 |
2002 | 3076 | Puerto Rico | 35 | 7.83 |
2013 | 102794 | Caverna: The Cave Farmers | 36 | 7.82 |
2019 | 285774 | Marvel Champions: The Card Game | 37 | 7.81 |
2015 | 170216 | Blood Rage | 38 | 7.81 |
2017 | 192135 | Too Many Bones | 39 | 7.81 |
2019 | 251247 | Barrage | 40 | 7.80 |
2007 | 31260 | Agricola | 41 | 7.80 |
2018 | 248562 | Mage Knight: Ultimate Edition | 42 | 7.79 |
2019 | 276025 | Maracaibo | 43 | 7.78 |
2018 | 247763 | Underwater Cities | 44 | 7.78 |
2017 | 221107 | Pandemic Legacy: Season 2 | 45 | 7.78 |
2019 | 256960 | Pax Pamir: Second Edition | 46 | 7.78 |
2016 | 205059 | Mansions of Madness: Second Edition | 47 | 7.77 |
2019 | 284083 | The Crew: The Quest for Planet Nine | 48 | 7.77 |
2019 | 271320 | The Castles of Burgundy | 49 | 7.76 |
2017 | 185343 | Anachrony | 50 | 7.76 |
Why do newer games so quickly climb the geek list? This is basically due to the fact that BGG continues to use ~ 1000 votes to start its Bayesian average, even as the size of the hobby has grown. This was probably a good prior for when board games had a much smaller audience, but as BGG and the hobby has grown, newer games rapidly attract enough user ratings that they manage to quickly overtake this prior.
If we plot the average and median user ratings for games published in each year, we can see how more recently published games draw lots of user ratings (though this does start to taper off for games in the last 1-2 years, though we would expect this to go up as these games accumulate user ratings).

This isn’t a problem per se, but it does mean that two games might actually be pretty similar in quality, but the one released more recently draws lots of user ratings, and so it gets a big boost to its rating on the Geek list.
I’m not going to argue that this is a fundamental flaw in the rating that the site uses. But I do think it has changed the meaning of the rating over time. Presumably, the idea behind using the Bayesian average is to indicate games that combine both popularity and a high rating. On some level, we’d like the ratings to be that intersection of ‘these are games that have been well received and are very popular’.
If we back to that plot of game averages plotted against logged user ratings, this basically means finding games that are at the top of the ‘mountain’. But I’ve highlighted the games in the top 100 to show that this isn’t quite the case with the geek rating. Popularity ends up mattering less than we might want it to, given the relationship between the two components.

Fortunately for us, we can adjust for this in a pretty simple way by upping the number of baseline 5.5 votes for every single game. Rather than using the 1000 or so that BGG uses, we’ll toggle the number of baseline ratings at various thresholds up to 100,000 votes and see how the rankings start to change. Games that maintain a high ranking at each threshold will be games that have both a large number of user ratings and a high average. Games that are sensitive to the number of baseline user ratings will be ones that are ‘inflated’ in the current ranking system.
What do we find? We can make a table of games with their rankings at different thresholds. There’s no getting around the fact that Gloomhaven is going to be a top game, it has an extremely high average with a lot of votes. The same goes for Terraforming Mars, which has an extremely high number of user ratings with a high average - if we set the number of baseline votes over 25k Terraforming Mars becomes the top game of all time.
Game Ranking | ||||||||||
# User Votes Added | ||||||||||
name | yearpublished | rank | avg_rank | 1k | 2k | 5k | 10k | 25k | 50k | 100k |
Gloomhaven | 2017 | 1 | 1.9 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 5 |
Terraforming Mars | 2016 | 2 | 2.7 | 6 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Pandemic Legacy: Season 1 | 2015 | 3 | 4.0 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 10 |
Scythe | 2016 | 4 | 7.9 | 21 | 14 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 |
7 Wonders Duel | 2015 | 5 | 10.1 | 26 | 17 | 11 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 2 |
Twilight Struggle | 2005 | 6 | 12.0 | 16 | 12 | 7 | 7 | 9 | 15 | 18 |
Brass: Birmingham | 2018 | 7 | 12.1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 15 | 24 | 32 |
Wingspan | 2019 | 8 | 13.0 | 28 | 19 | 14 | 8 | 6 | 8 | 8 |
Spirit Island | 2017 | 9 | 13.1 | 10 | 8 | 6 | 9 | 14 | 19 | 26 |
The Castles of Burgundy | 2011 | 10 | 14.6 | 25 | 18 | 15 | 10 | 8 | 11 | 15 |
Great Western Trail | 2016 | 11 | 17.3 | 17 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 19 | 22 | 27 |
Terra Mystica | 2012 | 12 | 19.4 | 29 | 21 | 17 | 14 | 16 | 18 | 21 |
Star Wars: Rebellion | 2016 | 13 | 20.0 | 9 | 7 | 9 | 13 | 26 | 35 | 41 |
Puerto Rico | 2002 | 14 | 20.0 | 50 | 33 | 20 | 12 | 7 | 9 | 9 |
Arkham Horror: The Card Game | 2016 | 15 | 22.9 | 23 | 20 | 18 | 17 | 22 | 29 | 31 |
Through the Ages: A New Story of Civilization | 2015 | 16 | 23.7 | 12 | 11 | 13 | 16 | 31 | 38 | 45 |
Agricola | 2007 | 17 | 23.9 | 59 | 38 | 24 | 15 | 10 | 10 | 11 |
Concordia | 2013 | 18 | 27.6 | 30 | 24 | 22 | 19 | 29 | 33 | 36 |
Root | 2018 | 19 | 28.0 | 34 | 26 | 23 | 20 | 27 | 32 | 34 |
Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion | 2020 | 20 | 28.1 | 4 | 4 | 8 | 18 | 41 | 57 | 65 |
Viticulture Essential Edition | 2015 | 21 | 28.9 | 40 | 29 | 27 | 22 | 23 | 31 | 30 |
Everdell | 2018 | 22 | 31.3 | 35 | 27 | 25 | 27 | 32 | 34 | 39 |
Blood Rage | 2015 | 23 | 32.3 | 52 | 35 | 29 | 28 | 24 | 30 | 28 |
Gaia Project | 2017 | 24 | 32.4 | 8 | 9 | 16 | 26 | 45 | 59 | 64 |
Power Grid | 2004 | 25 | 33.0 | 74 | 53 | 32 | 23 | 17 | 16 | 16 |
Azul | 2017 | 26 | 34.3 | 84 | 56 | 36 | 24 | 13 | 14 | 13 |
Mage Knight Board Game | 2011 | 27 | 34.9 | 37 | 28 | 28 | 29 | 35 | 40 | 47 |
7 Wonders | 2010 | 28 | 35.6 | 99 | 68 | 38 | 21 | 11 | 6 | 6 |
Twilight Imperium: Fourth Edition | 2017 | 29 | 35.9 | 5 | 6 | 10 | 25 | 52 | 69 | 84 |
Nemesis | 2018 | 30 | 40.3 | 14 | 15 | 21 | 31 | 58 | 65 | 78 |
Mansions of Madness: Second Edition | 2016 | 31 | 41.4 | 47 | 37 | 34 | 35 | 40 | 45 | 52 |
Caverna: The Cave Farmers | 2013 | 32 | 41.9 | 53 | 39 | 35 | 34 | 39 | 44 | 49 |
Orléans | 2014 | 33 | 44.4 | 41 | 34 | 33 | 39 | 48 | 56 | 60 |
Race for the Galaxy | 2007 | 34 | 44.6 | 94 | 72 | 41 | 33 | 25 | 23 | 24 |
A Feast for Odin | 2016 | 35 | 45.0 | 24 | 23 | 30 | 41 | 60 | 64 | 73 |
Dune: Imperium | 2020 | 36 | 45.9 | 19 | 16 | 26 | 38 | 64 | 73 | 85 |
Tzolk'in: The Mayan Calendar | 2012 | 37 | 46.6 | 70 | 54 | 39 | 42 | 38 | 41 | 42 |
War of the Ring: Second Edition | 2011 | 38 | 46.7 | 7 | 10 | 19 | 37 | 70 | 87 | 97 |
Lords of Waterdeep | 2012 | 39 | 47.0 | 96 | 75 | 43 | 36 | 28 | 26 | 25 |
Brass: Lancashire | 2007 | 40 | 47.1 | 27 | 25 | 31 | 43 | 61 | 66 | 77 |
Robinson Crusoe: Adventures on the Cursed Island | 2012 | 41 | 50.1 | 85 | 66 | 44 | 44 | 37 | 37 | 38 |
The Crew: The Quest for Planet Nine | 2019 | 42 | 50.9 | 62 | 47 | 40 | 47 | 50 | 55 | 55 |
The Quacks of Quedlinburg | 2018 | 43 | 53.0 | 80 | 60 | 45 | 45 | 44 | 46 | 51 |
Lost Ruins of Arnak | 2020 | 44 | 53.3 | 38 | 31 | 37 | 48 | 66 | 72 | 81 |
Pandemic | 2008 | 45 | 53.3 | 163 | 104 | 54 | 30 | 12 | 7 | 3 |
Dominion | 2008 | 46 | 53.7 | 149 | 97 | 55 | 32 | 18 | 13 | 12 |
Five Tribes | 2014 | 47 | 56.0 | 91 | 73 | 50 | 49 | 43 | 42 | 44 |
Clank!: A Deck-Building Adventure | 2016 | 48 | 56.6 | 86 | 67 | 49 | 50 | 47 | 47 | 50 |
Le Havre | 2008 | 49 | 59.1 | 78 | 63 | 48 | 53 | 55 | 58 | 59 |
Codenames | 2015 | 50 | 59.3 | 162 | 105 | 57 | 40 | 20 | 17 | 14 |
Android: Netrunner | 2012 | 51 | 59.9 | 76 | 61 | 47 | 54 | 59 | 61 | 61 |
Patchwork | 2014 | 52 | 61.6 | 144 | 99 | 59 | 46 | 33 | 27 | 23 |
Eclipse | 2011 | 53 | 62.9 | 79 | 64 | 51 | 57 | 63 | 63 | 63 |
Star Wars: Imperial Assault | 2014 | 54 | 63.1 | 58 | 45 | 46 | 58 | 72 | 77 | 86 |
Eldritch Horror | 2013 | 55 | 63.4 | 95 | 79 | 56 | 55 | 51 | 54 | 54 |
Battlestar Galactica: The Board Game | 2008 | 56 | 65.6 | 107 | 83 | 58 | 56 | 49 | 53 | 53 |
Marvel Champions: The Card Game | 2019 | 57 | 71.3 | 32 | 32 | 42 | 66 | 96 | 112 | 119 |
The 7th Continent | 2017 | 58 | 71.3 | 57 | 49 | 52 | 63 | 82 | 94 | 102 |
Ticket to Ride: Europe | 2005 | 59 | 71.3 | 184 | 124 | 69 | 51 | 30 | 21 | 20 |
Dominion: Intrigue | 2009 | 60 | 75.0 | 125 | 92 | 66 | 62 | 62 | 60 | 58 |
Caylus | 2005 | 61 | 77.1 | 111 | 89 | 67 | 65 | 71 | 68 | 69 |
Food Chain Magnate | 2015 | 62 | 77.3 | 43 | 43 | 53 | 69 | 99 | 114 | 120 |
Stone Age | 2008 | 63 | 80.3 | 186 | 131 | 75 | 59 | 42 | 36 | 33 |
The Voyages of Marco Polo | 2015 | 64 | 81.9 | 89 | 80 | 65 | 70 | 81 | 92 | 96 |
Clans of Caledonia | 2017 | 65 | 84.0 | 64 | 57 | 60 | 76 | 103 | 113 | 115 |
El Grande | 1995 | 66 | 85.1 | 113 | 91 | 71 | 71 | 77 | 85 | 88 |
Star Realms | 2014 | 67 | 86.1 | 178 | 128 | 79 | 64 | 54 | 52 | 48 |
Carcassonne | 2000 | 68 | 86.1 | 263 | 167 | 81 | 52 | 21 | 12 | 7 |
Tigris & Euphrates | 1997 | 69 | 88.0 | 131 | 101 | 76 | 72 | 75 | 78 | 83 |
Architects of the West Kingdom | 2018 | 70 | 88.4 | 102 | 87 | 72 | 75 | 86 | 96 | 101 |
Through the Ages: A Story of Civilization | 2006 | 71 | 89.3 | 81 | 74 | 70 | 78 | 101 | 109 | 112 |
Mechs vs. Minions | 2016 | 72 | 92.3 | 61 | 55 | 68 | 84 | 114 | 129 | 135 |
Dead of Winter: A Crossroads Game | 2014 | 73 | 92.3 | 207 | 140 | 88 | 67 | 53 | 48 | 43 |
Pandemic Legacy: Season 2 | 2017 | 74 | 92.9 | 48 | 50 | 62 | 85 | 122 | 136 | 147 |
Roll for the Galaxy | 2014 | 75 | 93.0 | 158 | 113 | 85 | 74 | 73 | 74 | 74 |
Anachrony | 2017 | 76 | 94.3 | 46 | 48 | 63 | 89 | 125 | 141 | 148 |
Dominant Species | 2010 | 77 | 94.4 | 93 | 84 | 77 | 80 | 104 | 110 | 113 |
Splendor | 2014 | 78 | 94.7 | 256 | 170 | 90 | 61 | 36 | 28 | 22 |
Ticket to Ride | 2004 | 79 | 96.9 | 277 | 175 | 93 | 60 | 34 | 20 | 19 |
Keyflower | 2012 | 80 | 97.9 | 112 | 94 | 84 | 82 | 98 | 105 | 110 |
Underwater Cities | 2018 | 81 | 98.0 | 49 | 52 | 64 | 94 | 130 | 146 | 151 |
Jaipur | 2009 | 82 | 99.4 | 228 | 152 | 96 | 68 | 56 | 50 | 46 |
Twilight Imperium: Third Edition | 2005 | 83 | 99.6 | 97 | 88 | 82 | 91 | 108 | 115 | 116 |
Magic: The Gathering | 1993 | 84 | 100.1 | 203 | 141 | 97 | 73 | 68 | 62 | 57 |
Aeon's End | 2016 | 85 | 101.4 | 65 | 65 | 74 | 97 | 126 | 137 | 146 |
A Game of Thrones: The Board Game (Second Edition) | 2011 | 86 | 102.3 | 188 | 139 | 99 | 77 | 74 | 71 | 68 |
Star Wars: X-Wing Miniatures Game | 2012 | 87 | 103.4 | 150 | 115 | 95 | 83 | 88 | 95 | 98 |
Troyes | 2010 | 88 | 103.6 | 124 | 102 | 89 | 90 | 102 | 107 | 111 |
Rising Sun | 2018 | 89 | 104.3 | 101 | 90 | 86 | 95 | 112 | 121 | 125 |
Teotihuacan: City of Gods | 2018 | 90 | 104.9 | 82 | 78 | 80 | 101 | 123 | 132 | 138 |
Raiders of the North Sea | 2015 | 91 | 106.6 | 114 | 98 | 91 | 98 | 111 | 117 | 117 |
Descent: Journeys in the Dark (Second Edition) | 2012 | 92 | 106.6 | 157 | 118 | 98 | 86 | 91 | 97 | 99 |
The Resistance: Avalon | 2012 | 93 | 110.1 | 202 | 146 | 105 | 79 | 79 | 80 | 80 |
Maracaibo | 2019 | 94 | 111.1 | 42 | 46 | 73 | 109 | 155 | 172 | 181 |
The Lord of the Rings: The Card Game | 2011 | 95 | 113.3 | 159 | 123 | 103 | 99 | 100 | 103 | 106 |
Istanbul | 2014 | 96 | 114.1 | 198 | 145 | 106 | 88 | 84 | 88 | 90 |
Grand Austria Hotel | 2015 | 97 | 114.6 | 87 | 86 | 92 | 107 | 134 | 147 | 149 |
Cosmic Encounter | 2008 | 98 | 115.4 | 213 | 154 | 109 | 87 | 80 | 83 | 82 |
Crokinole | 1876 | 99 | 116.0 | 73 | 76 | 87 | 110 | 142 | 158 | 166 |
Sagrada | 2017 | 100 | 116.3 | 234 | 165 | 113 | 81 | 76 | 75 | 70 |
There’s no correct number of votes to add, but it is interesting to see how games are affected by having more votes. If we add 100k votes we basically end up with a list that penalizes recent games to enter the top 100 (Gloomhaven Jaws of the Lion, Marvel Champions, Rising Sun, Underwater Cities, Dune Imperium) and provides a boost to some of the pillars of the board game renaissance Pandemic, Ticket to Ride, Pandemic, 7 Wonders, Puerto Rico, Agricola. Man, evidently Terraforming Mars is really good?
What are the top games if use a prior with 100k votes rater than 1k?
Game Ranking | ||||||||||
# User Votes Added | ||||||||||
name | yearpublished | rank | avg_rank | 1k | 2k | 5k | 10k | 25k | 50k | 100k |
Terraforming Mars | 2016 | 2 | 2.7 | 6 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
7 Wonders Duel | 2015 | 5 | 10.1 | 26 | 17 | 11 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 2 |
Pandemic | 2008 | 45 | 53.3 | 163 | 104 | 54 | 30 | 12 | 7 | 3 |
Scythe | 2016 | 4 | 7.9 | 21 | 14 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 |
Gloomhaven | 2017 | 1 | 1.9 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 5 |
7 Wonders | 2010 | 28 | 35.6 | 99 | 68 | 38 | 21 | 11 | 6 | 6 |
Carcassonne | 2000 | 68 | 86.1 | 263 | 167 | 81 | 52 | 21 | 12 | 7 |
Wingspan | 2019 | 8 | 13.0 | 28 | 19 | 14 | 8 | 6 | 8 | 8 |
Puerto Rico | 2002 | 14 | 20.0 | 50 | 33 | 20 | 12 | 7 | 9 | 9 |
Pandemic Legacy: Season 1 | 2015 | 3 | 4.0 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 10 |
Agricola | 2007 | 17 | 23.9 | 59 | 38 | 24 | 15 | 10 | 10 | 11 |
Dominion | 2008 | 46 | 53.7 | 149 | 97 | 55 | 32 | 18 | 13 | 12 |
Azul | 2017 | 26 | 34.3 | 84 | 56 | 36 | 24 | 13 | 14 | 13 |
Codenames | 2015 | 50 | 59.3 | 162 | 105 | 57 | 40 | 20 | 17 | 14 |
The Castles of Burgundy | 2011 | 10 | 14.6 | 25 | 18 | 15 | 10 | 8 | 11 | 15 |
Power Grid | 2004 | 25 | 33.0 | 74 | 53 | 32 | 23 | 17 | 16 | 16 |
Catan | 1995 | 154 | 174.6 | 533 | 335 | 170 | 96 | 46 | 25 | 17 |
Twilight Struggle | 2005 | 6 | 12.0 | 16 | 12 | 7 | 7 | 9 | 15 | 18 |
Ticket to Ride | 2004 | 79 | 96.9 | 277 | 175 | 93 | 60 | 34 | 20 | 19 |
Ticket to Ride: Europe | 2005 | 59 | 71.3 | 184 | 124 | 69 | 51 | 30 | 21 | 20 |
Terra Mystica | 2012 | 12 | 19.4 | 29 | 21 | 17 | 14 | 16 | 18 | 21 |
Splendor | 2014 | 78 | 94.7 | 256 | 170 | 90 | 61 | 36 | 28 | 22 |
Patchwork | 2014 | 52 | 61.6 | 144 | 99 | 59 | 46 | 33 | 27 | 23 |
Race for the Galaxy | 2007 | 34 | 44.6 | 94 | 72 | 41 | 33 | 25 | 23 | 24 |
Lords of Waterdeep | 2012 | 39 | 47.0 | 96 | 75 | 43 | 36 | 28 | 26 | 25 |
Spirit Island | 2017 | 9 | 13.1 | 10 | 8 | 6 | 9 | 14 | 19 | 26 |
Great Western Trail | 2016 | 11 | 17.3 | 17 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 19 | 22 | 27 |
Blood Rage | 2015 | 23 | 32.3 | 52 | 35 | 29 | 28 | 24 | 30 | 28 |
Small World | 2009 | 133 | 151.6 | 423 | 271 | 150 | 92 | 57 | 39 | 29 |
Viticulture Essential Edition | 2015 | 21 | 28.9 | 40 | 29 | 27 | 22 | 23 | 31 | 30 |
Arkham Horror: The Card Game | 2016 | 15 | 22.9 | 23 | 20 | 18 | 17 | 22 | 29 | 31 |
Brass: Birmingham | 2018 | 7 | 12.1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 15 | 24 | 32 |
Stone Age | 2008 | 63 | 80.3 | 186 | 131 | 75 | 59 | 42 | 36 | 33 |
Root | 2018 | 19 | 28.0 | 34 | 26 | 23 | 20 | 27 | 32 | 34 |
Love Letter | 2012 | 140 | 158.6 | 434 | 279 | 154 | 100 | 65 | 43 | 35 |
Concordia | 2013 | 18 | 27.6 | 30 | 24 | 22 | 19 | 29 | 33 | 36 |
King of Tokyo | 2011 | 164 | 181.4 | 501 | 324 | 179 | 111 | 69 | 49 | 37 |
Robinson Crusoe: Adventures on the Cursed Island | 2012 | 41 | 50.1 | 85 | 66 | 44 | 44 | 37 | 37 | 38 |
Everdell | 2018 | 22 | 31.3 | 35 | 27 | 25 | 27 | 32 | 34 | 39 |
Dixit | 2008 | 141 | 161.1 | 430 | 280 | 157 | 103 | 67 | 51 | 40 |
Star Wars: Rebellion | 2016 | 13 | 20.0 | 9 | 7 | 9 | 13 | 26 | 35 | 41 |
Tzolk'in: The Mayan Calendar | 2012 | 37 | 46.6 | 70 | 54 | 39 | 42 | 38 | 41 | 42 |
Dead of Winter: A Crossroads Game | 2014 | 73 | 92.3 | 207 | 140 | 88 | 67 | 53 | 48 | 43 |
Five Tribes | 2014 | 47 | 56.0 | 91 | 73 | 50 | 49 | 43 | 42 | 44 |
Through the Ages: A New Story of Civilization | 2015 | 16 | 23.7 | 12 | 11 | 13 | 16 | 31 | 38 | 45 |
Jaipur | 2009 | 82 | 99.4 | 228 | 152 | 96 | 68 | 56 | 50 | 46 |
Mage Knight Board Game | 2011 | 27 | 34.9 | 37 | 28 | 28 | 29 | 35 | 40 | 47 |
Star Realms | 2014 | 67 | 86.1 | 178 | 128 | 79 | 64 | 54 | 52 | 48 |
Caverna: The Cave Farmers | 2013 | 32 | 41.9 | 53 | 39 | 35 | 34 | 39 | 44 | 49 |
Clank!: A Deck-Building Adventure | 2016 | 48 | 56.6 | 86 | 67 | 49 | 50 | 47 | 47 | 50 |
The Quacks of Quedlinburg | 2018 | 43 | 53.0 | 80 | 60 | 45 | 45 | 44 | 46 | 51 |
Mansions of Madness: Second Edition | 2016 | 31 | 41.4 | 47 | 37 | 34 | 35 | 40 | 45 | 52 |
Battlestar Galactica: The Board Game | 2008 | 56 | 65.6 | 107 | 83 | 58 | 56 | 49 | 53 | 53 |
Eldritch Horror | 2013 | 55 | 63.4 | 95 | 79 | 56 | 55 | 51 | 54 | 54 |
The Crew: The Quest for Planet Nine | 2019 | 42 | 50.9 | 62 | 47 | 40 | 47 | 50 | 55 | 55 |
Citadels | 2000 | 209 | 230.6 | 612 | 410 | 225 | 151 | 90 | 70 | 56 |
Magic: The Gathering | 1993 | 84 | 100.1 | 203 | 141 | 97 | 73 | 68 | 62 | 57 |
Dominion: Intrigue | 2009 | 60 | 75.0 | 125 | 92 | 66 | 62 | 62 | 60 | 58 |
Le Havre | 2008 | 49 | 59.1 | 78 | 63 | 48 | 53 | 55 | 58 | 59 |
Orléans | 2014 | 33 | 44.4 | 41 | 34 | 33 | 39 | 48 | 56 | 60 |
Android: Netrunner | 2012 | 51 | 59.9 | 76 | 61 | 47 | 54 | 59 | 61 | 61 |
Kingdomino | 2016 | 129 | 146.4 | 339 | 231 | 144 | 104 | 78 | 67 | 62 |
Eclipse | 2011 | 53 | 62.9 | 79 | 64 | 51 | 57 | 63 | 63 | 63 |
Gaia Project | 2017 | 24 | 32.4 | 8 | 9 | 16 | 26 | 45 | 59 | 64 |
Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion | 2020 | 20 | 28.1 | 4 | 4 | 8 | 18 | 41 | 57 | 65 |
Takenoko | 2011 | 160 | 177.0 | 427 | 288 | 172 | 123 | 87 | 76 | 66 |
Lost Cities | 1999 | 174 | 197.6 | 486 | 321 | 194 | 140 | 94 | 81 | 67 |
A Game of Thrones: The Board Game (Second Edition) | 2011 | 86 | 102.3 | 188 | 139 | 99 | 77 | 74 | 71 | 68 |
Caylus | 2005 | 61 | 77.1 | 111 | 89 | 67 | 65 | 71 | 68 | 69 |
Sagrada | 2017 | 100 | 116.3 | 234 | 165 | 113 | 81 | 76 | 75 | 70 |
The Resistance | 2009 | 161 | 179.0 | 422 | 286 | 173 | 130 | 89 | 82 | 71 |
Arkham Horror | 2005 | 167 | 184.3 | 435 | 296 | 177 | 134 | 92 | 84 | 72 |
A Feast for Odin | 2016 | 35 | 45.0 | 24 | 23 | 30 | 41 | 60 | 64 | 73 |
Roll for the Galaxy | 2014 | 75 | 93.0 | 158 | 113 | 85 | 74 | 73 | 74 | 74 |
Santorini | 2016 | 118 | 137.3 | 288 | 202 | 132 | 102 | 83 | 79 | 75 |
Mysterium | 2015 | 157 | 176.3 | 407 | 275 | 169 | 128 | 93 | 86 | 76 |
Brass: Lancashire | 2007 | 40 | 47.1 | 27 | 25 | 31 | 43 | 61 | 66 | 77 |
Nemesis | 2018 | 30 | 40.3 | 14 | 15 | 21 | 31 | 58 | 65 | 78 |
Hanabi | 2010 | 226 | 248.9 | 632 | 425 | 244 | 161 | 110 | 91 | 79 |
The Resistance: Avalon | 2012 | 93 | 110.1 | 202 | 146 | 105 | 79 | 79 | 80 | 80 |
Lost Ruins of Arnak | 2020 | 44 | 53.3 | 38 | 31 | 37 | 48 | 66 | 72 | 81 |
Cosmic Encounter | 2008 | 98 | 115.4 | 213 | 154 | 109 | 87 | 80 | 83 | 82 |
Tigris & Euphrates | 1997 | 69 | 88.0 | 131 | 101 | 76 | 72 | 75 | 78 | 83 |
Twilight Imperium: Fourth Edition | 2017 | 29 | 35.9 | 5 | 6 | 10 | 25 | 52 | 69 | 84 |
Dune: Imperium | 2020 | 36 | 45.9 | 19 | 16 | 26 | 38 | 64 | 73 | 85 |
Star Wars: Imperial Assault | 2014 | 54 | 63.1 | 58 | 45 | 46 | 58 | 72 | 77 | 86 |
Galaxy Trucker | 2007 | 134 | 152.4 | 315 | 220 | 147 | 114 | 95 | 89 | 87 |
El Grande | 1995 | 66 | 85.1 | 113 | 91 | 71 | 71 | 77 | 85 | 88 |
Betrayal at House on the Hill | 2004 | 239 | 259.9 | 650 | 442 | 251 | 174 | 115 | 98 | 89 |
Istanbul | 2014 | 96 | 114.1 | 198 | 145 | 106 | 88 | 84 | 88 | 90 |
Bohnanza | 1997 | 244 | 265.3 | 664 | 450 | 258 | 179 | 116 | 99 | 91 |
Hive | 2000 | 150 | 169.9 | 368 | 251 | 163 | 125 | 97 | 93 | 92 |
Memoir '44 | 2004 | 101 | 118.3 | 206 | 150 | 111 | 93 | 85 | 90 | 93 |
Sushi Go! | 2013 | 252 | 271.6 | 678 | 455 | 267 | 182 | 124 | 101 | 94 |
Coup | 2012 | 270 | 293.4 | 746 | 496 | 289 | 193 | 131 | 104 | 95 |
The Voyages of Marco Polo | 2015 | 64 | 81.9 | 89 | 80 | 65 | 70 | 81 | 92 | 96 |
War of the Ring: Second Edition | 2011 | 38 | 46.7 | 7 | 10 | 19 | 37 | 70 | 87 | 97 |
Star Wars: X-Wing Miniatures Game | 2012 | 87 | 103.4 | 150 | 115 | 95 | 83 | 88 | 95 | 98 |
Descent: Journeys in the Dark (Second Edition) | 2012 | 92 | 106.6 | 157 | 118 | 98 | 86 | 91 | 97 | 99 |
Sushi Go Party! | 2016 | 132 | 150.9 | 286 | 205 | 143 | 117 | 105 | 100 | 100 |
Adding 100k votes gives us the list of games that more or less maps to the evergreen games of the last two decades, and actually shows a decent balance of complex and simple games. I would argue that is is a stronger list to look at for people who are interested in the hobby but aren’t necessarily going to be interested in chasing the hotness.
Going back to ‘the mountain’ visual, what games does this set of rankings end up prioritizing?

Hooray! That’s about what I was hoping to see.
I’ll now put this same information into a datatable to make it a bit more interactive, you can sort and search for any game and see how it compares across the different thresholds.